Monday, September 21, 2009

Remember going to the fair - the scones, the cotton candy, the hot dog on a stick...

My very favorite though, will always be the elephant ears - simply for the memories.

When my daughter was about 3 or 4 years old we were at our big state fair. We'd had plenty of the other healthy stuff - you know , corn dogs, three or four kinds of burgers and mountains of curly fries - and were going for some dessert. Okay... dessert in yet one more form!

We asked girlie if she'd like an elephant ear. Now, this is a kid who is very literal, even as a grown woman...but back then...WOW.

The look on her face....

Imagine being asked to taste the most disgusting thing you can think of....she just had as far as she was concerned.

Poor little lamby!

This recipe is actually from my youngest daughter and is so easy it's ridiculous. You can make them as big or little as you want, and in any shape. Traditionally topped with cinnamon-sugar, but equally scrumptious with jam or honey. (I made them about 4 inches across. Of course, bigger - the size of a dinner plate - they actually look like...well...elephant ears! Imagine that...)

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2 cups flour

4 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2/3 cup milk

Toppings: melted butter, cinnamon-sugar, powdered sugar, jam, honey

In a large pot heat 1 inch vegetable oil over medium heat. (Turn down if it starts to smoke.)

In a medium bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and milk just until combined. On a liberally floured counter or board gently knead the dough 10 times. Pat and roll out into 1/8th inch thickness (or as thick as pie crust). Cut into any shape or size.

Test oil with a small piece of dough...it should sizzle and start turning brown with in 20 seconds or so.

Drop 3-4 pieces into the hot oil and turn when golden brown. Drain on wire rack or on brown paper or paper towels. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar or spread with jam.

Oh WOW! I loved these growing up and always wondered how to make them! I'm bookmarking and making..thank you so much.

To the person above that mentioned these look like dutch oliebollen? Im an american living in the netherlands and these bad boys put the oliebollen to shame. The oliebollen is heavy and greasy..these aren't.